BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - In the Apps' Southern Conference opener, Appalachian State University men's tennis fell to Samford, 3-4, in league action at Samford Tennis Center on Sunday. The Mountaineers (4-4, 0-1 SoCon) have now lost two of their last three, while the Bulldogs (8-2, 2-0 SoCon) extend their winning streak to five matches.

At doubles, Samford swept the No. 3 match, 8-0, but Appalachian's top pair of Sebastien King and Philip Kloc kept ASU in the mix by winning the No. 1 match, 8-3.

With the doubles point in the balance, Appalachian's Alain Humblet and Alex Markov forced an 8-8 stalemate and a decisive tiebreaker, but Samford's duo edged the Apps, 9-7 to win the doubles point, 9-8(9-7).

In singles, Mountaineer senior Steve Karendal cruised through his match at No. 5 to win 6-1, 6-2.

King also pulled out a singles win, taking a two-set victory at No. 4, 6-3, 6-4.

Samford showed its strength at the top of the lineup, coming out on top at No. 2 and No. 3 singles to build a 3-2 advantage in the team scoring, one win from the match.

SU clinched the match with a three-set match at No. 1, defeating Markov, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.

Sophomore Matt Saltsgaver added one more point for the Mountaineers with his three-set victory at No. 6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.

Appalachian State continues its roadtrip with a turn south to Florida for a Tuesday match against Jacksonville at 2 p.m.